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Doctor at veterans hospital shot in neck, but disarms gunman who used wheelchair to sneak in weapon

The New York Daily News - 2/28/2019

Feb. 28--A doctor at a veterans hospital in Florida is being hailed as a hero after disarming a gunman at the facility despite being shot in the neck.

Double-amputee Larry Bon, 59, had arrived at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center earlier Wednesday and was uncooperative for hours, according to authorities. Bon, who was in a wheelchair, was about to undergo an evaluation in the emergency room when he pulled out a gun and shot the doctor.

Another employee was grazed by a bullet, but Bon was thwarted by the doctor before he could do more harm, according to authorities.

"During the shooting, in between shots, the doctor saw an opportunity to jump on the suspect and disarm him," FBI Special Agent Justin Fleck told Local 10 in Florida.

The doctor, who was not identified, was treated and released. Fleck told reporters that "he's doing well and he did a heroic thing today."

Fleck added that the doctor "probably saved a lot of lives."

Officials say Bon was able to hide his weapon in his wheelchair when he passed through security, according to the TV station.

The director of the facility said in a statement that they are "working with local law enforcement and the investigation remains ongoing."

Bon, in federal custody on an assault charge, appeared in West Palm Beach Federal Court on Thursday morning.

He served in the U.S. Army in the 1970s. His mother Nancy Bon told the Palm Beach Post he was honorably discharged after contracting pneumonia during basic training. One leg was amputated after an infection, and the other was amputated 15 years ago after a car accident, she said.

She told the newspaper that her son was mentally ill and had skipped a 2016 sentencing hearing in Michigan, for illegally possessing a stun gun.

"I don't even know where he would have gotten a gun. He's a felon," she said.

She told the newspaper that her son's mental health suffered after he contracted spinal meningitis at age 8.

With News Wire Services

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